Senate Concurrent Resolution 504

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MONSIGNOR JAMES JOSEPH HANNON OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HIS PRIESTHOOD.

WHEREAS, on June 3, 2005, Monsignor James J. Hannon of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, will be celebrating 60 years as a Priest; and

WHEREAS, James Joseph Hannon, a true son of Ireland, was born January 13, 1920, in Headford County, Galway, Ireland, to Patrick and Mary Hannon; and

WHEREAS, familiar with hard work growing up on an Irish farm, the future Monsignor applied that ethic in acquiring his education, first entering St. Janiath College, Tuam, Galway in 1933. Then, after graduation in 1939, he entered St. Patrick College, Carlow, until he was ordained on June 3, 1945; and

WHEREAS, the newly ordained Father Hannon began his ministry traveling across the Atlantic to his new country where his first assignment was as the Associate Pastor at Nativity B.V.M. in Biloxi, Mississippi. A year later, he was transferred to Our Lady of Victories Parish in Pascagoula, Mississippi. During the period from 1947 to 1950, he attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., receiving his doctorate in Cannon Law and for the next 12 years, he served in the Chancery Office for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson where he was appointed Defeasor Vinculi. There he assumed the duties of Chancellor of the Diocese under Bishop Richard Gerow and later, Bishop Joseph Brunini. He also served as Diocesan Director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, the Legion of Decency and Friends of the Catholic University of America; and

WHEREAS, the Holy See named Father Hannon as a Papal Chamberlain in 1954. He was named Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor by Apostolic Brief in August 1957. In 1962, he was assigned as Pastor at Our Lady of the Gulf in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, until 1969. During the years between 1969 and 1980, Monsignor Hannon served as Pastor to the parishioners of Our Lady of Victories in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1980, he was appointed Pastor at St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs where he remained until his retirement on June 2, 1989; and

WHEREAS, during his retirement, Monsignor Hannon has devoted much time to the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Biloxi, celebrating daily masses at the Villa Maria Retirement Home in Ocean Springs, assisting with masses at St. Thomas in Long Beach, Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Council 5654, and serving as President of the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, he still finds time for his woodworking hobby which began while serving as Pastor of OLV. He built the St. James Chapel at St. Alphonsus, as well as the altar and tabernacle and the chairs and choir benches for the main altar. He began Perpetual Adoration at St. Alphonsus. The Lord is My Help has been the recipient of his administrative skills as well as his expertise in cabinetry. Habitat for Humanity has also benefited from the talents and skills of Monsignor Hannon's woodworking. He is well known for distributing all the toys he makes to needy children at Christmas; and

WHEREAS, Monsignor Hannon has been recognized for his charitable and loving gifts to the community with numerous rewards, including Outstanding Mississippi Knight of Columbus, WLOX Person of the Week, and most recently, Mississippi Ageless Hero. He has also been featured in local and national publications; and

WHEREAS, Monsignor Hannon has faithfully served the church and the people of Mississippi for most of his life. It is with thanks and appreciation that we acknowledge his service of 60 years:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Monsignor James Joseph Hannon of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary Celebration of his Priesthood, and express the best wishes of the Legislature to him and his parishioners.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Monsignor Hannon and be made available to the Sun Herald and members of the Capitol Press Corps.